In Detail...

Virginia Dare, first-born daughter of colonists in America, has returned to
England and the court of Queen Elizabeth. When threatened by an assassin,
she assumed a huge avian form and flew to the roof. Doctor Strange is the
first to reach her. He and Virginia's native American bodyguard capture
her, and Strange returns her to human form before others can find her.

Meanwhile, well-laid plans are now in motion, with varying degrees of success.
The Pope has sent an envoy to kill the head of the Spanish Inqusition, aka
Magneto, after hearing that the Spaniard has a tentative allegiance with
King James of Scotland. Needless to say, the assassin is unsuccessful.

The students of Carlos Javier are learning more about their latest addition,
the strange young winged man whom they rescued from the Spanish Inquisitor,
but Javier has not yet shown his hand. Matthew the blind bard and Natasha
his travelling companion are on their way to Trieste to meet the man from
Jerusalem, who has the weapon they hope will save their world.

Coming upon a tavern, their horses weary, Natasha offers to buy the horses
from some soldiers staying at the inn. They turn down her offer, and show her
and Matthew little friendliness. Matthew just smiles as Natasha kicks military
butt in spectacular style! Woohoo! Action at last!

Now things are picking up. Nick Fury is still looking for an unidentified
third assassin, supposedly targeting the Queen herself. Doom, meanwhile, has
sent a gift to the Queen, a cunningly crafted mechanical musical toy. Danger,
Will Robinson, Danger!

But what of Peter Parquagh, young page to Nick Fury? He is sent with Doctor
Strange, to mind Virginia, who is unconscious, and is Strange's patient. At
the Doctor's artifact-laden house, Peter is nearly bitten by a strange spider,
a pet of Strange's, a present from Sir Reed, who went overseas five years past,
and whose fate is not clearly known to us.

Peter has shown himself to be a quiet boy, afraid of heights, and lacking in
strength, though with great intelligence. Neil Gaiman is clearly teasing us
here, surely Peter's transformation cannot be far off!

Commanded by his queen not to stoop to torture, Sir Nicholas Fury offers to
fight one of the captured assassins in a wager of freedom against the secret
of the agent's master. Victorious in a short and bloody combat, the assassin
speaks the name - "Doom". But the secret comes too late, Doom's intricate
construction, the musical toy, has commited it's deadly work...

In General...

Intelligent, moving, with depth and such rich and wondrous art. Gaiman,
Kubert and Isanove are clearly masters in the prime of their talents. If only
all comics were woven of the same stuff. The intricately woven storyline, the
carefully maintained atmosphere, the measured pace which demands the reader's
time and commitment to read - but which never drags and which gives back so
much more in return. All of these things happen when an artistic team commit
themselves to a serious endeavour.

I've heard a few people grumble at the $3.50 cover price - presumably in
comparison to the $2.25 that an issue of Venom will set you back. But truly,
we're not talking in the same league here. Yes, a fillet mignon at the Hilton
will cost more than a burger at McDonalds. But really, there is no
comparison.

Overall Rating...

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